Fascinating Filmnagar

By Mouli Mareedu

Surrounded by green canopy and swanky houses, Filmnagar is undoubtedly the city’s most glamorous colony where at least half of the actors, actresses, producers, directors and members of film fraternity, apart from businessmen and political leaders live.

The area, being the nerve centre of Telugu cinema, houses several studios including Rama Naidu Studios and Padmalaya Studios where several flicks in various languages are filmed on a daily basis. Filmnagar, lying adjacent to the placid Jubilee Hills, has virtually developed in all aspects after the State government distributed land to film fraternity, in an attempt to boost the tinsel town.

“Filmnagar has 30-years history. It was started in 1978 when Andhra Pradesh government distributed land to film fraternity to encourage Telugu film industry when it shifted base to Hyderabad from Chennai when Marri Channa Reddy was the chief minister. The area has been christened as Filmnagar when many film stars, directors, producers and other film industry bigwigs started staying here,” said Kaja Suryanarayana, Hon. Secretary, Filmnagar Co-Operative Housing Society.

Initially, the society was set up with 600 members by issuing membership to various personalities in film industry. “As Filmnagar completed 30 years, we celebrated it with grandeur with all film fraternity organising various cultural programmes,” Suryanarayana said.

Veteran south Indian actress Jayasudha said 30 years ago the Filmnagar area was full of jungle and rocks. Sometimes, people were scared to enter the locality. Now, many film actors prefer to stay here as the area has been developed. Though Filmnagar is developed residentially and commercially, a few film personalities are now trying to come out of this colony as it has become congested.

The Filmnagar Co-operative Housing Society, Telugu Film Producer's Council, D Ramanaidu Kalamandapam and Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce are located in the colony.

Filmnagar Daiva Sannidhanam is a famous temple in the area which is located at the centre of the colony. “The temple was established in 2004 according to film fraternity’s interest. Special poojas are performed everyday and many actors visit the temple. Many devotees throng the temple to offer prayers during Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,” said V B Rajendraprasad, Filmnagar Temple Trust Board Chairman and film producer.

Comedian Ali said he was very happy for being a resident of Filmnagar. “I have been staying here for the last 15 years. The Filmnagar temple is famous and well-known personalities visit the temple. Most of the muhurat shots of films are shot here at this temple,” Ali said.

Directors K Raghavendra Rao, Kodanda Rami Reddy, actors Madala Ravi, Mohan Babu, TDP MLA Paritala Sunita, producers Edida Nageswara Rao, Maharshi, K S Rama Rao, and K Ashok Kumar and many more are residing in the colony.

Apollo Hospitals Educational & Research Foundation (AHERF) is located in Filmnagar which provides education and research facilities to doctors and health care facilities to the patients as well.